Lieberman Still Hearts Reid, A New Conservative Media Network Launches and More in Capital Eye Opener: September 9

Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics:

LIEBERMAN BOLSTERS DEMOCRATIC LEADER WITH CAMPAIGN CASH: In one of the toughest election battles of his career, Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has been raising campaign cash at an incredible pace, and he’s coming up with some interesting benefactors in the process. In addition to some famous friends, Reid has managed to collect campaign donations from an unlikely source back in Washington: Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

According to The Hill, more than 20 true-blue Democratic colleagues in the Senate have donated $10,000 — generally the maximum amount one politician can donate to another from his/her individual political action committee during an election cycle — but only Lieberman went above and beyond that figure, contributing $14,000 out of two different committees he runs.

Though a former Democrat himself, Lieberman is an unlikely leader of Reid’s political cash pack, given the political role he’s played for the last two years — that is, the thorn in the majority leader’s side.

Lieberman’s independent-status has made him a crucial swing vote for a Democratic majority seeking to pass major legislation during the last two years. During the health care debate, Lieberman forced Reid to drop the so-called public option from working legislation, in order to keep Lieberman’s vote. The move infuriated progressives, and has been one reason the Democrats’ liberal constituency has colored itself disaffected of late with Democratic leadership.

It was only one year before that, of course, that Lieberman endorsed Republican John McCain for president, even going so far as to donate $5,000 to McCain’s campaign presidential campaign fund. After Obama won and Democrats swept both houses of Congress, many party members wanted Reid to strip Lieberman of his Armed Services Committee chairmanship. Reid ultimately let Lieberman keep his post.

NEXT STOP, DELAWARE: Having helped propel insurgent candidacies in Alaska and Nevada to victory through significant financial backing, the Tea Party Express is now planning on taking its political might to the Republican U.S. Senate primary in Delaware. The Tea Party Express, which operates the Our Country Deserves Better PAC, has already put fourth political capital toward the candidacy of Christine O’Donnell, who is battling Rep. Mike Castle for the Republican nomination in the Senate race there. According to Politico, the group plans to spend nearly $200,000 on efforts to bolster O’Donnell’s candidacy. According to a spokesman, the Express plans to run ads that will paint a picture of Castle supporting the economic policies of the Democratic leadership while touting O’Donnell as a champion of small government values.

CONSERVATIVE NETWORK LAUNCHES: A new media network catering to conservatives launched this week. RightNetwork offers viewers “a right-minded perspective that includes an entire spectrum of opinion from thoughtful and reserved to bold and brash,” according to its website. The network, which has a slate of entertainment-type programs on tap, plans to promote itself first through on-demand cable television networks, the Internet and mobile phones.

One show currently airing on the network’s website is “Running,” a reality show that allows viewers to follow several Tea Party candidates as they run for office. The pilot episode focuses on two candidates in California, John Dennis and Ari David, who are currently running for Congress.

Both are targeting big names in their respective races: Dennis, who is running in California’s 8th Congressional District, where the incumbent is none other than Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the current Speaker of the House and common target in Tea Party talking points. David, meanwhile, is tackling Democrat Rep. Henry Waxman in California’s 30th Congressional District. Waxman is chairman of the influential Energy and Commerce Committee in Congress, and was a sponsor of the Democrats’ controversial cap-and-trade legislation, which would place an economy-wide cap on carbon emissions.

Both Pelosi and Waxman hold large leads in their respective money races, according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis. As of the end of June, Pelosi had raised nearly $2 million to Dennis’ about $655,000. Waxman had raised more than $1.2 million to David’s $41,947.

Have a news tip or link to pass along? We want to hear from you! E-mail us at press@crp.org.

Media Contact

Viveca Novak
(202) 354-0111
press@crp.org

Search

Archives

Categories

Count Cash & Make Change.

OpenSecrets.org is your nonpartisan guide to money's influence on U.S. elections and
public policy. Whether you're a voter, journalist, activist, student or interested citizen,
use our free site to shine light on your government.